Member of staff steps down after 45 years

A long-standing member of staff at a Skegness firm has been wished a fond farewell after clocking up 45 years’ service.

Christine Kerry retired from Fenland Laundry and Microclean last week as a customer care advisor, having started on September 26, 1969, at the tender age of 16 in domestic sorting.

Colleagues joined her at the North Shore Hotel, in North Shore Road, Skegness, on Friday - her final day - to wish her a happy retirement.

Christine spoke to The Standard about her memories from the past four-and-a-half decades.

This included being part of the company as it recovered from a fire in 1973 which tore through the entire complex.

Christine remembers the hard times that followed, but more importantly how each worker rallied round to get the company back on its feet.

“A few of us would work weekends over in Grantham, as we all wanted to make sure everything ran as smoothly as possible.

“We feared for our jobs and pulled together then worked in the office while the factory was being rebuilt around us,” she said.

At this time, it was the middle of December and Christine remembers the workers having to wear hats, scarves, gloves, thick jackets and work by candlelight.

Among the big changes to Christine’s working life came when computers were introduced.

“I vividly remember when we got our first computer, as up until that point we had done everything by hand. We had no photocopiers or anything of the sort,” said Christine.

She added: “I’ll miss coming into work. You might find me automatically walking in one morning when going for a walk.

“I feel like a homing pigeon, my instincts will tell me to turn left into work, but I’ll have to remember not to.”

Christine paid tribute to the firm’s management for allowing her to have a career of 45 years and said she plans to use her retirement to do more of the things she loves to do, like walking, gardening and cross-stitching.

Robert Parker, managing director of the firm, paid tribute to Christine’s lengthy stint at the company.

He said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Christene over the last 45 years, many thanks for your efforts and you will be genuinely missed.”